G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY

G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously

G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only

G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously

G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks

G—PHYSICS

G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING; COUNTING

G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING

G06F12/00—Accessing, addressing or allocating within memory systems or architectures

G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements

G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer

G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements

G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer

G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form

G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements

G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer

G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form

A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game

A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals

A63F2300/1018—Calibration; Key and button assignment

A—HUMAN NECESSITIES

A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS

A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game

A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals

A63F2300/1025—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection

A—HUMAN NECESSITIES

A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS

A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game

A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals

A63F2300/1062—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel

A—HUMAN NECESSITIES

A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS

A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game

A63F2300/80—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game specially adapted for executing a specific type of game

A63F2300/8017—Driving on land or water; Flying

G—PHYSICS

G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING

G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY

G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously

G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only

G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously

G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks

G05G2009/0474—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals

G—PHYSICS

G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING

G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY

G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously

G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only

G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously

G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks

G05G2009/04774—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks with additional switches or sensors on the handle

Abstract

A reconfigurable video game/simulator system including a personal computer, a video display, a keyboard, and one or more game controllers including a throttle controller. The keyboard is coupled to the throttle controller as are the other game controllers. The throttle controller is coupled to the computer through a keyboard interface port. During a functional mode, the throttle controller receives inputs from the controllers and the keyboard and transmits a corresponding input keycode. During a reconfiguration mode, the user inputs the desired keycodes into the computer, either by inputting them by the keyboard or selecting a preexisting configuration file stored on the computer. The reconfiguration keycodes are then downloaded to the throttle controller over the keyboard interface. The throttle controller receives the reconfiguration keycodes and stores them in a non-volatile memory located within the controller. During a subsequent functional mode, when one of the input devices is actuated, the corresponding reconfiguration keycode is transmitted to the computer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of application U.S. Ser. No. 07/932,501, filed Aug. 19, 1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application U.S. Ser. No. 07/911,765, filed Jul. 9, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to controllers for video games and simulators implemented on a computer and more particularly to reconfiguring game controllers to correspond to a particular video game.

Conventionally, a personal computer is enabled to be controlled by external manual control devices by means of a game card, which provides an external game port into which control devices, such as a joystick, can be plugged. To provide widespread compatibility, which is essential to the ability to mass market a wide variety of video games and simulation programs, industry standards have been developed for game cards for personal computers such as those commonly referred to as IBM-compatibles. The universal adoption of these standards means that any external manual input device designed to control such computers and software must be compatible with the industry-standard game port. Any input device lacking such compatibility will not be able to be used with conventional personal computers equipped with standard game boards and will not be widely accepted.

The problem is that the industry standard game port provides only a limited number of inputs: four discrete signal inputs for receiving binary signals signifying "On" and Off" and four analog signal inputs for receiving variable voltage signals, such as output by a potentiometer, which are continuously variable over a limited range. The number of game boards that can be plugged into a conventional PC is also limited, to one. Consequently, the number of controllers supported by a standard game port, and the number of allowable functions communicated thereby, is severely restricted.

For example, a PC configured as a combat aviation video game/simulator as shown in FIG. 1 has a joystick controller and a foot-pedal rudder controller. The joystick conventionally has a handle pivotally coupled to a base for forward/rearward movement and left/right movement by the user. The handle is connected in the base to transducers such as potentiometers coupled to two of the analog inputs of the game port to input proportional signals to the PC microprocessor to control analog functions in the video game/simulation program. The handle also includes four discrete switches that are operable by the user's fingers to control discrete functions in the video game/simulation program. The joystick controller therefore consumes two of the analog inputs and all four of the discrete inputs.

Attempting to circumvent these limitations, video game and simulator programmers have implemented many commands by programming function keys on the PC keyboard. This approach detracts from the realism of simulation, which is particularly important to flight simulation video games. Developers have strived to attain more realism by designing microprocessor-based input devices which output keycodes to the PC keyboard port emulating function keys on the PC keyboard. One example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,031 to Brasington. Thrustmaster, Inc. has also marketed a single throttle controller that outputs keycodes to the PC keyboard port. These efforts have been successful but require a manufacturer to design the controller to transmit a unique keycode for each individual controller input function.

There is no standard set of keycodes throughout the video game industry. Each video game has its own set of keycodes that it recognizes, with each keycode effectuating a corresponding response within the video game. Efforts to convert the keycodes supplied by the manufacturer to those desired by the video game program typically require a terminate-and-stay-resident ("TSR") program running on the computer concurrently with the video game. TSRs consume valuable memory and can potentially conflict with existing programs.

Another method of providing compatibility with new or existing video games requires the manufacturer to supply an updated version of the controller firmware to the user, usually in the form of a programmable-read-only-memory ("PROM"). This technique has several disadvantages. The first is that there is additional expense to the manufacturer in providing the updated firmware, which is ultimately passed on o the user. The second disadvantage is that most video game users are either unqualified or unwilling to install the PROM into their game controller. Installing the PROM incorrectly can render the controller inoperable by damaging the PROM or other electronic components due to electrostatic-discharge "(ESD)". Moreover, many video game users are simply unwilling to disassemble their game controllers for fear of damaging the device.

Accordingly, a need remains for a better way to reconfigure video game controllers for each particular video game to transmit the keycodes corresponding to each video game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention is to enable the user to reconfigure their video game controllers to match the user's video game/simulator of choice.

Another object is to enable the user to reconfigure their video game controllers to match the users's individual preference for location of desired functions on the controller.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate the need for a terminate and stay resident ("TSR") program running on the computer for use with the video game controllers.

The invention enables the individual switches and input devices of the game controllers to be reconfigured to match a target video game format. The video game/simulator system includes a personal computer running a video game program during a functional mode and a reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode. The video system can include several game controllers such as a joystick, a throttle controller, and a foot-pedal rudder controller. The throttle controller includes circuitry which acts as both a video game controller and a reconfiguration engine. The throttle controller is coupled to a keyboard to receive reconfiguration keycodes during a reconfiguration mode and input keycodes during a functional mode. The throttle controller is also coupled to the joystick controller to receive joystick input signals over a conventional game board connector attached to the joystick controller. The throttle controller is then coupled to a keyboard interface port on a personal computer to send keycodes corresponding to the inputs received by the controller, including its own, during the functional mode. The input keycodes correspond to those required by the particular video game/simulation program to effectuate a user's desire response to the program. The personal computer downloads reconfiguration keycodes to the throttle controller over the keyboard interface port during the reconfiguration mode. The throttle controller reconfiguration engine reconfigures the input devices of the game controllers so as to transmit a keycode downloaded to correspond to a particular controller input when that input is actuated.

A reconfiguration program runs on the personal computer prior to invoking the video game program. The reconfiguration program presents a graphical representation of the individual game controllers and allows the user to input a keycode corresponding to each of the controller inputs. The user can either type the keycodes in individually or, alternatively, specify a pre-stored file including previously entered keycodes. Thus, the user can save separate reconfiguration file for a number of separate video games. The reconfiguration program further allows the user to calibrate the game controllers during the reconfiguration mode. Finally, the reconfiguration program downloads the keycodes to the throttle controller circuitry to be stored in a non-volatile memory so as to retain the last set of downloaded keycodes even after the video program has been terminated.

An advantage of the invention is the ability to provide both analog and digital throttle, pitch, and roll to the computer.

Another advantage of the invention is to retain the configuration information even after the video program has been terminated.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video game/simulator system including a personal computer and several game controllers connected according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a two-dimensional graphical display of the joystick of FIG. 1 as displayed on a video display prior to reconfiguration.

FIG. 3 is a two-dimensional graphical display of the joystick of FIG. 1 after reconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a two-dimensional graphical display of a frontal view of the throttle controller of FIG. 1 as displayed on a video display prior to reconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a two-dimensional graphical display of a rear view of the throttle controller of FIG. 1 as displayed on a video display prior to reconfiguration.

FIG. 6 is a two-dimensional graphical display of a frontal view of the throttle controller of FIG. 1 as displayed on a video display after reconfiguration.

FIG. 7 is a two-dimensional graphical display of a rear view of the throttle controller of FIG. 1 as displayed on a video display after reconfiguration.

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of the throttle controller electronics and personal computer electronics in the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a video game/simulation system 10 for simulating operation of a complex system having a plurality of user-controlled functions such as a combat aviation video game program. As shown in FIG. 8, the system includes a conventional personal computer 12 having a microprocessor 21 operable under control of a video game/simulation program stored in memory 23 during a functional mode or, according to the invention, operable under control of a reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode. The computer also includes an input/output bus (not shown) for connecting peripheral input and output devices, e.g., game card, to the microprocessor. A conventional display (not shown) is used for displaying images produced by operation of the program in the microprocessor, and a conventional keyboard 16. Included on the computer, typically on the backside as shown in FIG. 1, are the input or output ports for the computer. The computer 12 includes a keyboard interface port 18 for, under normal operations, connecting to the keyboard 16. Also included on the computer 12 are two game ports 20 and 22 as well as serial input port 24, for connecting to the display (not shown).

The dual game ports 20 and 22 are shown as if game multi-ported game board 26 were inserted into the computer input/output bus (not shown). The multi-ported game board 26 inserts along horizontal guides within the computer such that male edge connector 28 makes electrical contact with the input/output bus of the computer. The multi-ported game board 26 is described further in commonly assigned copending application MULTIPORT GAME CARD WITH CONFIGURABLE ADDRESS Ser. No. 07/932,501 filed Aug. 19, 1992, which is further a continuation in part of copending application VIDEO GAME/FLIGHT SIMULATOR CONTROLLER WITH SINGLE ANALOG INPUT TO MULTIPLE DISCRETE INPUTS Ser. No. 07/911,765 filed Jul. 9, 1992, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, for running aviation video games and simulation programs, both a throttle controller 30 and a joystick controller 32 are connected to the computer, as well as a foot-pedal rudder controller 34. The joystick controller 32 includes a cable 36 having a game port connector 38. The game port connector 38 is connected to a mating game port connector, such as game ports 20 and 22, on throttle controller 30. The joystick controller 32 includes a plurality of input devices including switches 40, joyhat 42, as well as the actual joystick 44. All of the input information is conveyed over the cable 36 to the throttle controller 30 for further processing as described further below.

The throttle controller 30 is shown connected to game port 20 of a game card 26 ultimately residing in the housing of computer 12, as described above. The throttle controller 30 includes a cable 41 having a game port connector 43 at one end. Connected to the connector 43 is a mating game port Y-connector 45 which couples the throttle controller output signals from cable 41 and also the foot-pedal rudder controller position signals from signal line 50 across cable 46 to connector 48 which is connected to game port 20. The foot-pedal rudder controller signal line 50 is coupled to an analog signal line of cable 46 unused by throttle controller 30. Optionally calibration knob 52 is connected to game port 20 is across signal line 54, and is used to calibrate the controller input signals.

The throttle controller 30 further includes keyboard input port 56 which is shown coupled to the keyboard 16 through keyboard output cable 58. The keyboard input port 56 receives the keycodes transmitted from the keyboard 16 across cable 58 responsive to a user depressing one of the keyboard keys. The throttle controller 30 also includes a keyboard input/output port 60 which is coupled to the computer keyboard interface 18 across cable 62.

The throttle controller 30 has a plurality of input devices including discrete switches 64, three-way switches 66 and 68, and throttle 70. The throttle 70 can either be two separate throttle members, i.e., split-throttle, as in the preferred embodiment, or a single throttle member. In addition, throttle controller 30 can include a trackball mounted on the throttle handle near where the thumb naturally rests on the handle, as described in copending application Ser. No. 07/932,501. If the trackball is included, the trackball encoder outputs can be coupled to the serial input 24 of the computer to act as a "mouse" to move a cursor on the computer display (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 8, within the throttle controller 30 is electronic circuitry necessary to coordinate and translate all of the input and reconfiguration activity. The throttle electronics, in the preferred embodiment, includes a microcontroller 112 which samples the inputs of all of the controller input devices, including its own. The microcontroller is coupled to a non-volatile memory 114, such as a electrically-erasable, programmable read-only memory ("EEPROM"), where the current active set of keycodes are stored. When the throttle controller detects an actuated input from one of the controllers, the throttle controller 30 indexes into the memory and transmits a keycode corresponding to the actuated input to the computer keyboard interface port. In the event that the keyboard 16 itself is actuated, the throttle controller allows the corresponding keyboard keycode to be passed directly to the computer 12. This multiplexing technique can be accomplished by using either an analog switch or a digital multiplexer 116. Examples of electronics circuitry suitable for transforming input signals to keycodes are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,542 issued to Peltz et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,031 issued to Brasington.

The present invention allows the game controller inputs that are transmitted on the analog signals, e.g., throttle, roll, and pitch, to either be passed directly to the game port 20, along the analog input lines of the game port 20, or, alternatively, the throttle controller 30 can block the transmission of the analog signals and send a corresponding keycode to the computer 12. The user can select between analog or digital representation by changing the setting of the throttle controller three-way switch 68. In this way, the video system can maintain the increased resolution of the analog inputs while still using digital keycodes for the other controller inputs.

Reconfiguring the Game Controllers

Each joystick input and throttle input initially has a corresponding keycode chosen to match a prevalent video game. In the event that the video game user selects a program which uses keycodes which do not match those supplied by the manufacturer, or the user desires to change the function of one or more of the controller inputs, the user can switch into a reconfiguration mode by invoking a reconfiguration program on the computer 12 and changing the state of the three-way switch 68.

The reconfiguration program presents a graphical representation of each of the game controllers on the display, along with a menu of configuration assignments. FIG. 2 shows such a representation of the joystick, located generally at 72. Each discrete switch 74, 76, 78, and 80 has a separate character associated therewith, "a", "c", "d", "b", respectively. Similarly, joyhat 82 has four characters associated with it, i.e., "e", "f", "g", "h", corresponding to the four separate positions of the joyhat 82. The program indicates what keycodes, as represented by the corresponding character, correspond to each input. When the reconfiguration program is initially invoked the inputs will have no characters associated with them since none will have yet been assigned.

The reconfiguration program will prompt the user to input the desired keycodes for each of the controller inputs. In the preferred embodiment, the program simply steps from one input to the next, responsive to the user depressing the desired keyboard character until the user is finished. Referring now to FIG. 3, shown generally at 84 is a graphically representation of the joystick after the joystick inputs have been reassigned. For example, inputs 74, 76, and 78 are reassigned to keycodes "k", "m", and "n", respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, a frontal and rear view of the throttle controller are shown generally at 86 and 102, respectively, as shown on the display. As in FIG. 1, each of the throttle inputs has a keycode associated with it. Discrete input switches 88, 94, 96, and 98 have a single keycode associated with them, and three-way switch 100 has a single keycode associated with each switch setting. Input 90, however, has two keycodes associated with it. This corresponding to two of the three switch settings of three-way switch 100. For example, when switch 100 is in a first position, corresponding to keycode "a", discrete input 90 corresponds to keycode "t"; in contrast, when switch 100 is in a second position, corresponding to keycode "b", discrete input 90 corresponds to keycode "u". Similarly, discrete switch 92 has three separate keycodes, "v", "w", and "x", corresponding to the three switch settings "a", "b", and "c", respectively.

Once the desired keycodes have been entered the user commands the reconfiguration program to download the new keycodes to the throttle controller. The computer synchronizes with the throttle controller over the keyboard interface and then transmits a packet of data to the throttle controller over the keyboard port interface 18. In the preferred embodiment, the data packet includes a keycode for each of the controller inputs, each input having a corresponding datum, for example, at a predetermined offset into the packet. In order to avoid contention for the keyboard interface, in the preferred embodiment, the user is prompted to avoid actuating any of the controller inputs of the keyboard.

The throttle controller 30 receives the data packet from the computer 12 and stores the keycodes into the non-volatile memory 114, where it is stored until the controller is subsequently reconfigured, at which time it is overwritten.

The reconfiguration program also allows the user to calibrate the game controllers by entering a calibration routine and actuating the desired input. In the preferred embodiment, the reconfiguration program prompts the user to position the throttle in a variety of setting, in a predetermined order, and actuate a button to indicate that the throttle is in the desired position. The joystick can be similarly calibrated. The reconfiguration program transmits a command to the throttle controller upon entering the calibration routine to inform the throttle controller of the commencement of the routine. The throttle controller then samples the appropriate input lines corresponding to the controller being calibrated responsive to actuating the input indicated by the program. The throttle controller then calibrates the controller based on the signal levels sampled on the input lines.

After operation of the reconfiguration program has been completed, the user simply exits the program and sets the throttle controller three-way switch 68 to a setting corresponding to the functional mode.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. For example, is should be apparent that the number and type of game controllers can be altered without departing from the scope of the invention. I claim all such modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (15)

I claim:

1. A reconfigurable video game/simulator system comprising:

a personal computer having a microprocessor operable under control of a system reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode and under control of a video game/simulator program during a functional mode, an input/output bus for connecting peripheral input and output devices to the microprocessor, and a keyboard interface port;

a display coupled to the personal computer for displaying images produced by the reconfiguration and video game programs;

a video game/simulator controller having a plurality of input devices, a keyboard input port, and a keyboard input/output port coupled to the computer keyboard interface port;

means within the controller for transmitting the input and reconfiguration keycodes from the keyboard to the computer;

means within the controller for transmitting from the controller to the computer predetermined reconfiguration keycodes responsive to actuation of corresponding controller input devices during the functional mode;

means within the computer for receiving the keycodes transmitted from the controller;

means within the computer for transmitting reconfiguration keycodes from the computer to the controller during the reconfiguration mode;

means within the controller for receiving the reconfiguration keycodes from the computer during the reconfiguration mode; and

means within the controller for reconfiguring the controller responsive to receiving the reconfiguration keycodes such that the controller transmits a reconfiguration keycode when a corresponding controller input device is actuated.

2. A reconfigurable video game system according to claim 1 wherein the receiving means within the controller comprises:

a non-volatile memory for storing the reconfiguration keycodes; and

a microcontroller coupled to the non-volatile memory for writing reconfiguration keycodes received from the computer to the non-volatile memory during the reconfiguration mode and for reading the predetermined keycodes from the non-volatile memory responsive to the actuation of the corresponding controller input device during the functional mode.

3. A reconfigurable video game system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a game board coupled to the input/output bus having a finite number of inputs for receiving and inputting to the microprocessor a first number of analog input signals and a second number of discrete input signals, and

the video game/simulator controller further including a number of analog output signal lines not exceeding the first number and a number of discrete output signal lines not exceeding the second number, the controller signal lines being coupled to the game board inputs.

4. A reconfigurable video game system according to claim 1 wherein the reconfigurable video game system further includes a second controller having a plurality of input devices, and wherein the controller further includes:

a game port having the second controller coupled thereto; and

means for transmitting from the first controller to the computer the second controller inputs.

5. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system comprising a personal computer having a microprocessor operable under control of a system reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode and under a video game/simulator program during a functional mode, the computer having a keyboard interface port, a display coupled to the personal computer for displaying images produced by the programs, a computer keyboard, and a first video game/simulator controller coupled to the keyboard through a keyboard input port and coupled to the computer keyboard interface port through a controller keyboard input/output port, the controller having a plurality of input devices, the method comprising:

inputting reconfiguration keycodes into the computer, each reconfiguration keycode corresponding to one of the controller input devices;

downloading the reconfiguration keycodes from the computer to the controller via the keyboard interface port during the reconfiguration mode; and

reconfiguring each of the controller inputs devices responsive to receiving the reconfiguration keycodes such that the controller transmits a predetermined reconfiguration keycode corresponding to an input device when the input device is actuated in the functional mode.

6. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system according to claim 5 further comprising:

actuating one of the controller input devices during the functional mode; and

transmitting the predetermined reconfiguration keycode corresponding to a signal output from the actuated input device to the computer across the controller keyboard input/output port.

7. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system according to claim 5 wherein the stop of inputting reconfiguration keycodes comprises inputting the reconfiguration keycodes from the keyboard.

8. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system according to claim 5 wherein the step of inputting reconfiguration keycodes comprises specifying a reconfiguration file stored on the computer.

9. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system according to claim 5 wherein the step of reconfiguring each of the controller input devices comprises storing the reconfiguration keycodes in a non-volatile memory within the controller for use in the functional mode.

10. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system according to claim 5 wherein the step of inputting reconfiguration keycodes into the computer during the reconfiguration mode comprises inputting a character from the keyboard for a controlled input device, the computer being responsive to move to a subsequent controller input device to receive a subsequent character therefor.

11. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system according to claim 10 wherein the step of inputting reconfiguration keycodes into the computer during the reconfiguration mode further comprises entering a subsequent character from the keyboard for each of the controller input devices.

12. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system comprising a personal computer having a microprocessor operable under control of a system reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode and under a video game program during a functional mode, the computer having a keyboard interface port, a display coupled to the personal computer for displaying images produced by the programs, a computer keyboard, and a video game/simulator controller coupled to the keyboard through a keyboard input port and coupled to the computer keyboard interface port through a controller keyboard input/output port, the controller having a plurality of input devices and a switch having a first state corresponding to the reconfiguration mode and a second state corresponding to the functional mode, the method comprising:

setting the controller switch to the first state corresponding to the reconfiguration mode;

invoking the reconfiguration program on the computer;

displaying a graphical representation of the controller on the display;

inputting reconfiguration keycodes into the computer during the reconfiguration mode, each reconfiguration keycode corresponding to one of the controller input devices;

downloading the reconfiguration keycodes from the computer to the controller across the keyboard interface port;

reconfiguring each of the controller input devices responsive to receiving the reconfiguration keycodes such that the controller transmits a predetermined reconfiguration keycode corresponding to an input device when the input device is actuated in the functional mode; and

storing the reconfiguration keycodes in a non-volatile memory within the controller for use in the functional mode.

13. A method of reconfiguring a video game/simulator system comprising:

a personal computer having a microprocessor operable under control of a system reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode and under a video game/simulator program during a functional mode, the computer having a keyboard interface port, a display coupled to the personal computer for displaying images produced by the programs, a computer keyboard, and a first video game/simulator controller coupled to the keyboard through a keyboard input port and coupled to the computer keyboard interface port through a controller keyboard input/output port, the controller having a plurality of input devices, the method comprising:

inputting reconfiguration keycodes into the computer, each reconfiguration keycode corresponding to one of the controller input devices;

downloading the reconfiguration keycodes from the computer to the controller via the keyboard interface port during the reconfiguration mode;

reconfiguring each of the controller input devices responsive to receiving the reconfiguration keycodes such that the controller transmits a predetermined reconfiguration keycode corresponding to an input device when the input device is actuated in the functional mode;

coupling a second video game/simulator controller having a plurality of input devices to the video game/simulator controller;

inputting reconfiguration keycodes into the computer corresponding to the second controller input devices, each reconfiguration keycode corresponding to one of the second controller input devices;

downloading the reconfiguration keycodes corresponding to the second controller input devices from the computer to the controller; and

reconfiguring each of the second controller input devices responsive to receiving the reconfiguration keycodes corresponding to the second controller input devices such that the controller transmits a predetermined reconfiguration keycode corresponding to an input device of the second controller when the input device of the second controller is actuated in the functional mode.

14. A reconfigurable video game system comprising:

a personal computer having a microprocessor operable under control of a system reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode and under control of a video game/simulator program during a functional mode, an input/output bus for connecting peripheral input and output devices to the microprocessor, and a keyboard interface port;

a display coupled to the personal computer for displaying images produced by the reconfiguration and video game programs;

a first video game/simulator controller having a plurality of input devices, a keyboard input port, a game port, and a keyboard input/output port coupled to the computer keyboard interface port;

a second video game/simulator controller having a plurality of input devices, the second controller coupled to the game port of the first controller;

means within the first controller for transmitting the input keycodes from the keyboard to the computer;

means within the first controller for generating one of said predetermined reconfiguration keycodes responsive to actuation of a corresponding controller input device during the functional mode;

means within the computer for receiving keycodes transmitted from the first controller;

means within the computer for transmitting reconfiguration keycodes from the computer to the first controller during the reconfiguration mode;

means within the first controller for receiving the reconfiguration keycodes from the computer during the reconfiguration mode;

means within the first controller for reconfiguring the first and second controllers responsive to receiving the reconfiguration keycodes such that the first controller transmits a reconfiguration keycode when a corresponding controller input device is actuated; and

means for transmitting a keycode from the first controller to the computer responsive to actuation of a corresponding one of the second controller input devices.

15. A reconfigurable video game system comprising:

a personal computer having a microprocessor operable under control of a system reconfiguration program during a reconfiguration mode and under control of a video game/simulator program during a functional mode, an input/output bus for connecting peripheral input and output devices to the microprocessor, a game port, and a keyboard interface port;

a display coupled to the personal computer for displaying images produced by the reconfiguration and video game programs;

a first video game/simulator controller having a plurality of input devices, a keyboard input port, a game port, and a keyboard input/output port coupled to the computer keyboard interface port;

a second video game/simulator controller having a plurality of input devices, the second controller coupled to the game port of the first controller;

means within the first controller for transmitting the input keycodes from the keyboard to the computer;

means within the first controller for generating a predetermined reconfiguration keycode responsive to actuation of a corresponding controller input devices during the functional mode;

means within the computer for receiving keycodes transmitted from the first controller;

means within the computer for transmitting reconfiguration keycodes from the computer to the first controller during the reconfiguration mode;

means within the first controller for receiving the reconfiguration keycodes from the computer during the reconfiguration mode;

means within the first controller for reconfiguring the first and second controllers responsive to receiving the reconfiguration keycodes such that the first controller transmits a reconfiguration keycode when a corresponding controller input device is actuated; and

means for transmitting from the first controller to the computer game port an analog signal responsive to actuation of a corresponding one of the second controller input devices.